Kate Middleton Wins Injunction Banning Publication of Topless Photos in France

Kate Middleton Prince William

9:34 am, September 18th, 2012

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Kate Middleton and Prince William have won their first legal battle against the outlets publishing topless photos of the Duchess.

A French court has granted an injunction that bans the publication and distribution of the controversial pictures in France, and ordered Closer magazine — which first ran with the paparazzi shots of Middleton sunbathing — to hand over the originals within 24 hours or face a daily fine of 10,000 euros.

In its ruling, the court called the photos a “brutal display” of the royal couple’s private life.

“These snapshots which showed the intimacy of a couple, partially naked on the terrace of a private home, surrounded by a park several hundred meters from a public road, and being able to legitimately assume that they are protected from passers-by, are by nature particularly intrusive,” reads the written judgment.

RELATED – Sarah Ferguson: Kate Middleton Topless Pictures Scandal is “Despicable”

Kate and William are said to be pleased with the decision.

“They welcome the injunction that’s been granted,” said a royal source. “They always believed the law was broken and that they were entitled to their privacy.”

The battle is far from over, however, as the injunction only covers France — and only the pictures that have already been published; tabloid editors have hinted at the existence of even more invasive shots.

Meanwhile, prosecutors are deciding whether to formally charge the photographer and his buyers with a crime.

The royals filed a criminal complaint in France on Monday.

Gossip Cop will have updates.

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